“Under this bill, applicants who have been honorably discharged, and were awarded an Afghan or Iraqi campaign medal, are deemed to meet the collegiate educational requirements, notwithstanding Department of the State Police Merit Board rules,” Acevedo said.

One lawmaker argued a military background could make an officer too combative, and the lack of a classroom experience would be a detriment.

“I personally don’t want to encounter a combative state police officer who didn’t learn anything about human relations, who didn’t learn anything about human relations, or who didn’t learn about the language that we speak,” said Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago), one of only three lawmakers to vote against the bill.